Steve McClaren spoke of his pride after his Derby County team earned an Emirates FA Cup fourth-round replay against Premier League champions Leicester City.
Wes Morgan's late header denied the Rams a scalp and secured a 2-2 draw in a pulsating East Midlands derby.
County had come from behind after trailing thanks to a strange own goal from Darren Bent, who then equalised before Craig Bryson made it 2-1.
McClaren said: "We're disappointed that we didn't win but I'm so proud of my players.
"We wanted to give them a good game in front of the cameras, and under the lights.
"We were up against a Leicester side that was at it tonight. We had a slow start but we gradually grew into the game.
"Nobody wanted a draw at the end but we went for it and got a replay. Tonight taught me we have great character.
"The team dug in when they had to, and against a damn good team and nearly beat them.
"We must take heart from that."
Leicester took the lead after just eight minutes and in unusual fashion when Bent somehow managed to slice the ball into his own net from a Leicester corner.
However, in a brilliant twist of fate Bent proceeded to equalise with a looping header shortly after.
Bryson then weaved into the box and fired past Kasper Schmeichel to propel Derby in front before the interval.
Half-time City sub Demarai Gray saw his shot cannon back off a post before Scott Carson pulled a brilliant double save to keep out Shinji Okazaki.
Johnny Russell then missed the goal from a few yards out and that was duly punished when Morgan nodded home with three minutes left to seal a replay at the King Power Stadium.
Despite City failing to hit the heights of last season, Foxes' chief Claudio Ranieri said the side still possesses the necessary battling qualities.
"I'm satisfied because we knew that this would be a tough match," said the Italian.
"We started very well, scored the goal and then suddenly they came at us.
"We then got nervous.
"In the second half we started better and created chance after chance but the ball didn't want to go in for us.
"Finally we scored and I think we deserved to get the replay.
"It's important that we fight and the attitude of the players is fantastic.
"It would have been stressful for me, if we had have lost tonight."
Derby County: 1 Carson, 12 Baird, 16 Pearce, 6 Keogh, 29 Olsson, 7 Russell, 4 Bryson, 19 Hughes, 15 Johnson, 10 Ince, 11 Bent
Substitutes: 18 Butterfield for Hughes 63, 23 Vydra for Russell 84, 20 Camara for Bryson 89
Substitutes not used: 35 Mitchell, 2 Christie, 5 Shackell, 17 de Sart
Head coach: Steve McClaren
Goals: Bent (21), Bryson (40)
Leicester City: 1 Schmeichel, 17 Simpson, 5 Morgan, 6 Huth, 28 Fuchs, 11 Albrighton, 10 King, 4 Drinkwater, 3 Chilwell, 20 Okazaki, 9 Vardy
Substitutes: 22 Gray for Fuchs 46, 27 Mahrez for Okazaki 64, 7 Musa for Albrighton 74
Substitutes not used: 21 Zieler, 29 Benalouane, 24 Mendy, 25 Ndidi
Head coach: Claudio Ranieri
Goals: Bent og (8), Morgan (86)
